Adventure Capital Fund Aims to Improve U.K. Neighborhoods

By offering both financial investments and expert business support, Adventure Capital Fund gives community enterprises the opportunity to excel. On its website, Adventure Capital Fund stresses the importance of getting a social and financial return on its investments. The end goal is that the community enterprises the company funds are given the tools needed to become a long-term organization that is able to support itself.

Founded in December 2002, Adventure Capital Fund’s initial goal was to experiment using venture capitalist-style funding for community enterprises. In its first years, it boasted £9 million of investments.

Eligible organizations must be a community-led enterprise located in England and must employ at least one full-time staff member. Furthermore, eligible organizations must be involved in trading or other income-generating activities, and that income must be put back into the organization in order to further benefit the community. What is more, Adventure Capital Fund has identified certain "Priority Areas" that are of particular interest to their investments, including organizations led by minority groups and organizations located in rural areas.

One example of where Adventure Capital Fund’s resources go is ‘Be Totally You,’ a community-sector organization that works with disenfranchised youth in the creative arts. Be Totally You received financial support, capacity-building support and business development, and they continue to plan to make a community impact and serve as a role model. Other organizations who have received Adventure Capital Fund’s Business Development Grant include Cambridge House and Elite Youth.

Adventure Capital Fund gives third-sector organizations the tools and financial resources to succeed and make a long-term difference in their communities.